Elevating Team Performance

About Us

SDF is based in Atlanta, Georgia. SDF International has the business tools and experience to help clients drive change and improve business performance. SDF combines an extensive knowledge of best practices in a number of vital business areas with a unique ability to adapt these processes to an organization's culture.

PROVEN

EXPERTISE

When clients retain SDF, they work directly with the principal of the firm - Richard Ducote. With over 30 years of expertise in the firm's core competencies, his strong knowledge base and diverse experiences with a myriad of situations allows him to effectively add value to clients.

SDF is committed to generating the desired results for clients. A project is not started without a clear mandate from the client. SDF's principal determines what the client's real needs are, not just their wants, and deliver results on that basis. In a unique move, the company also puts its compensation on the line for each assignment with a willingness to be paid on performance.

In an effort to enable clients, SDF focuses on transferring knowledge and methodology directly to the client's organization. Ownership for an outcome is created by building critical mass on the inside; SDF works closely with key individuals in the company at every step of the project to generate a "team-based approach" to performance improvements and create a business owner mentality that fosters results.

SDF recognizes that integrity is the essential cornerstone of every positive business relationship. With a value system anchored in strong ethics, the firm builds mutual trust through clear communication and honest assessments at every step of the project to ensure the client's needs are constantly met. As a result, over 80% of business comes from referrals and repeat clients.

The unique expertise that Ducote has honed in the design and implementation of Team-Based Work Systems, production management, and human resource development impacts each of SDF's key service offerings: Business Strategy, Organizational Development, Breakthrough Project Management and Manufacturing Excellence Programs. Whether serving as a mentor, facilitator or catalyst for positive change, Ducote's systematic efforts improve an organization's ability to accept and manage change, solve problems, develop the potential of its people and work towards continuous performance improvements.

Ducote's keen insight about the needs of SDF's mostly Fortune 500 client base was first developed through his own experiences working in corporate America prior to founding SDF. During his tenure with Procter & Gamble, Ducote held a diversity of management positions that prepared him well for stints as a General Manager of a soft disposables manufacturing facility and Director of Operations for a flexible film packaging operation.

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Ducote holds an MBA in Industrial Management. In 1990, he received a Certified Management Consultant designation from the Institute of Management Consultants, Inc. He is also an Accolade Certified Product Consultant and obtained certifications for MBTI®, Benchmarks™, and InSight™.

The 25-year industry veteran has contributed numerous articles to Nonwovens Industry magazine on topics such as conflict resolution, effective project management, building a team-based work system and integrating people and technology. Currently serving as the Committee Chairman for Boy Scout Troop 434 in Atlanta, Ducote also volunteers his time to the West Point Society of Atlanta helping officers from the armed services transition to civilian employment.

Community Outreach:

With a personal belief system that includes a philosophy of sharing its resources the founder has participated in numerous local and international community development initiatives ranging from Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, and Knights of Columbus.

CONTACT US!

Our goal is to sharpen your competitive edge. If we fail to deliver, we don’t expect to be paid. Give us the opportunity to help your company work better, smarter and faster than ever before.